A pilot talks about a life in the clouds




12th February 2019

The beauty with the aviation industry is how many roles it covers and how much opportunity people have to move around the sector and explore different paths. Take Louise* for example – she started out in Air Traffic Control but moved into being a pilot, and has now been a Captain for 25 years. Here she tells us about her career so far.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Nothing is ever a typical day. Report can be any time Once at work I’m never there for less that 9.5 hours – a quick transatlantic is 7 hours, report is 1.5 hrs before and there is about an hour after. A more typical day at work is around 12 hours and the longest is 16. Report. Meet crew, flight and cabin. Brief. Go to aircraft. Prep aircraft. Board passengers. Fly. Land. Debrief. Obviously travel at either end is variable depending on start point.

How has your career progressed?

I was an Air Traffic Controller, and I had sponsored training which led to flying. I’ve spent the last 30 years with one company, 25 as Captain.

What do you love most about working in the aviation industry?

Travel. Meeting people. The mix of cognitive and physical skills.

What is one of your fondest memories from your aviation career?

First take off in a commercial airliners. My cheeks ached from grinning as we broke through the cloud at 16,000 feet.

What one piece of technology will have the most significant impact on the aviation industry?

Improvements in man / machine interface. Specifically improvements in auroflight programming.

What do you believe are the key challenges that need to be addressed within the sector you worked?

Fatigue. Down skulking in the training process. The expense of getting started means good people cannot gain access. I had sponsored training and was very lucky, but not everyone is.

What’s the greatest misconception people have about your job?

They assume we only press buttons and the plane does it all.

What advice would you give to someone looking to get into your job / sector?

Stay focussed. Work hard. Believe in yourself.

by William Finden

About the Author: William Finden is the Founder and MD of Oaklands Global. He is a seasoned executive search and recruitment specialist with over 16 years of experience, dedicated to the international aviation & aerospace markets. William leads Oaklands Global’s C-Suite practice and has had a successful career delivering at the executive level for a diverse portfolio of clientele including Business Jet Operators, OEM’s, MRO’s, FBO’s Airlines and Rotary businesses. To learn more about how William can assist with your next career move or to discuss your next director level hire please contact him by email: william.finden@oaklandsglobal.com

Featured Posts

In an age of change and constant innovation, we believe in sharing ideas and discussing a variety of trending topics around recruitment, aviation, aerospace & defence and investment banking. Please peruse our library of blogs and articles below

  • Living on the Edge of Balance: How Aviation Executives Navigate Success and Sacrifice

    9th July 2025

    For nearly two decades, I’ve had the privilege of representing aviation professionals at every stage of their careers, from entry-level fitters to C-suite executives. Since 2020, my focus has been firmly rooted in the senior leadership space, working exclusively within the high-stakes world of aviation’s top-tier talent. What continues to impress me is the way truly successful executives maintain a sense of balance, even while operating under immense pressure in one of the most demanding industries on earth.

  • Speculation vs. Safety: Why Facts Must Fly First in Aviation

    7th July 2025

    When tragedy strikes in aviation, the world watches closely — and too often, reacts too quickly.

  • Rising Salaries in the MRO Market: Justified or Unsustainable?

    15th April 2025

    The aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) market is experiencing a significant surge in salaries, particularly for licensed engineers and technical specialists. Across the industry, companies are grappling with rising labour costs, making it harder to balance profitability with attracting and retaining top talent.